These Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites are soft, pillowy on the inside and covered gloriously with a delightful cinnamon sugar. What’s not to love?

Can I confess something? I must buy a cup of cinnamon sugar pretzel bites whenever I visit the Mall of America or any mall. I even do a happy dance when I spot Auntie Anne’s Pretzels (the popular pretzel bites vendor) around me.

But homemade pretzels are so much better than mall pretzels! You can serve them with a sweet cream cheese dip or enjoy them just as they are.

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels

Prior to tasting these soft pretzels, I had never been a fan of anything coated with sugar granules. I would always question if the sugar in the dough wasn’t enough.

But I love the sugar on these bites. There is just something special about the combination of salty soft pretzel bites coated with a cinnamon sugar mixture.

Additionally, you can significantly reduce the sugar you use when making yours at home. In fact, I used only half of the stated sugar quantity in the recipe I adapted this from.

Love treats with cinnamon? Also, please see my recipe for Cinnamon Rolls With Apple Pie Filling.

After being tied to Auntie Anne’s cinnamon sugar pretzel bites for a long time, I figured it was time to make mine.

As an unrepentant homemade pastry lover, I went on a hunt for the recipe on the internet and saw this recipe by Cooking Classy which was so easy to follow. So my recipe is heavily adapted from hers.

How To Make It

• You begin by proofing yeast in warm water.
• Then you add sugar, oil, flour and salt to make the pretzel dough.
• Let it rise.
• Then form logs out of the dough and cut into about 1-inch bite-sized pieces.
• Then using a slotted spoon, dip the pretzels into a water and baking soda solution, known as a baking soda bath.
• Remove them and place on a baking sheet then you bake them until golden brown.

I really wanted to eat the whole thing after baking. But then the sugar must go on top.

• So mix cinnamon together with some sugar and combine with the warm pretzels. Et voila, you have your own homemade cinnamon sugar pretzel bites!

After making these and enjoying them, I was curious to know if they tasted quite the same as those in the Mall. Fortunately, my family and I visited the mall some days after I made them.

And as fate would have it, we landed right on a floor where there was an Auntie Anne’s. I did my infamous happy dance, then went there and purchased a cup of Auntie Anne’s cinnamon sugar pretzel bites.

Guess what? It tasted just like the homemade version. This means I do not have to go to the mall each time I want some pretzel bites. There’s no limit to what can be achieved in the kitchen.

Hope you enjoy this recipe for cinnamon sugar pretzel bites. If you need a little sugar in your life every now and then, this is the recipe to follow.

Expert Tips

1. Use the Right Flour: For a chewy, tender texture, bread flour is your best friend. Its higher protein content gives the dough the structure and elasticity needed for soft, real-deal pretzels. If you don’t have bread flour on hand, all purpose flour will still work. In fact, that’s what I used here.
2. Dough Rising: After mixing the dough, it’s important to give it enough time to rise. Place your dough in a large bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and allow it to rest in a warm place. This dough rise will make sure your pretzel bites are soft and puffy. If it’s your first time making pretzels, don’t rush this step. It’s the key to achieving that chewy texture.
3. Boiling Water: The boiling water bath is essential for achieving a golden, crisp exterior on your pretzels. The water should be at a rolling boil, and adding baking soda to it enhances the color and texture of the pretzel’s crust. Make sure you use a large pot for this step, as it provides the pretzels with sufficient room to float without sticking together.
4. Size Matters: When shaping the pretzels, aim for equal pieces to ensure uniform cooking. A bench scraper or sharp knife helps you divide the dough into smaller pieces for bite-sized pretzels. If you’re making long ropes, roll the dough carefully, and try to keep them even. It’s the easiest way to get pretzels that are consistently sized and shaped.
5. Cinnamon-Sugar Coating: When making the irresistible cinnamon-sugar mixture, be sure to thoroughly mix regular sugar or brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. The sweetness from the cinnamon sugar, paired with the saltiness of the pretzel, makes for the perfect balance of flavors.
6. Store Them Properly: If you’re not serving your cinnamon sugar pretzel bites right away, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for the next day. To keep them fresh, it’s best to place them in a single layer so they don’t become soggy.
7. Make it Simple: Don’t overcomplicate things with unnecessary ingredients. This recipe uses simple ingredients like active dry yeast, unsalted butter, and salt. The classic pretzel recipe focuses on the essentials to create a mouthwatering treat, so keep it straightforward for the best results.

Variations

While the cinnamon sugar topping is a classic favorite, there are plenty of ways to get creative with your pretzel bites. Here are a few variations to try:

1. Savory Garlic Parmesan Pretzel Bites: Instead of the sweet cinnamon sugar, try brushing your pretzels with unsalted butter and sprinkling them with a parmesan cheese and garlic powder mix. These would be a great treat for a savory snack or as an appetizer at a party. Add a little kosher salt to enhance the flavors.
2. Sweet and Salty Pretzels: After dipping your pretzel bites into the cinnamon-sugar mixture, sprinkle them with a pinch of coarse salt. This balance of sweet and salty will make them feel like an indulgent, next-level treat. A little salty surprise under all that sweetness is always a crowd-pleaser.
3. Cheesy Pretzel Bites: For a cheesy version, stuff your pretzel bites with a small chunk of cream cheese and bake them up until golden. These stuffed pretzels pair perfectly with a simple dipping sauce, such as marinara or ranch. You could even roll them in parmesan cheese before baking for an extra cheesy flavor.
4. Herb-Infused Pretzels: Add a twist by mixing finely chopped rosemary or thyme into your dough when kneading it by hand or in the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment. This brings a fresh, herbal flavor that contrasts beautifully with the salty exterior.
5. Mini Soft Pretzels with a Sweet Dip: If you want to go a little more decadent, you can make small batches of mini pretzels and pair them with a chocolate or cream cheese dipping sauce. It’s a great food court-inspired snack.
6. Chocolate-Dipped Pretzel Bites: After baking and coating your pretzel bites in melted butter, dip them in melted chocolate and then in the cinnamon-sugar mixture for a sweet and rich treat. They’ll have a crisp exterior and a delicious chocolate center that will satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth.
7. Baking Soda vs. Food-Grade Lye: Some purists swear by using food-grade lye in the water bath instead of baking soda for an even deeper golden color and a more authentic texture. If you’re aiming for real-deal pretzels with a shiny, crisp crust, this variation could be worth a try. Just remember that you’ll need to handle lye carefully, as it is a caustic substance.

More Homemade Baked Goods

• Pumpkin Spice Doughnuts
• Cornbread Without Buttermilk
• Sugar Coated Donuts
• Red Velvet Cake Recipe Without Buttermilk
• Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls

If you make this recipe please leave a star rating below. Your rating helps others find the recipe plus I love hearing from you! Thank you!

Pin this recipe: